Team preview: Colorado State

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(All information as of June 20, 2008)

COACH AND PROGRAM

For Colorado State fans, the pain of watching campus legend Sonny Lubick nudged into retirement last winter was lessened by the Lubick-endorsed hiring of Steve Fairchild, 50, a former Rams quarterback and assistant coach.

Fairchild knows it won't be easy to follow Lubick, who compiled a 108-74 record over 15 seasons and led the Rams to nine bowl games and at least a share of six conference titles. "There are no shortcuts in this business," Fairchild said. "It's hard work, determination, put your plan in place and don't flinch, and that's what we'll do here."

Colorado State experienced only four losing seasons under Lubick, but that includes three of the last four. Home attendance slipped to its lowest levels since 1992 last season and the squad had no first-team all-conference picks for a second consecutive season. The Rams started out 1-9 in 2007, losing four games by six or fewer points before rallying to finish with back-to-back victories.